272 
LIFE OF DEAN BUCKLAND. 
[CH. VI. 
had the genuine feeling of ‘ nolo episcopari,’ and thought 
it was his duty to refuse it. 
“ For at least an hour in my bedroom I had to combat 
his scruples of conscience, or rather of his modesty, until 
at last I got his promise to accept the appointment if it 
were offered. Other persons more competent than I am 
will tell you about his life as Dean of Westminster. Not 
that I am ignorant of it, for there was scarcely a week 
that I did not dine at the Deanery, and continued in the 
enjoyment of his friendship till the cloud came over his 
mind. 
“ But I may conclude with a short estimate of his cha¬ 
racter. Dean Buckland was one of the most active-minded 
men I ever met. To all subjects under his attention he 
gave the best efforts of his mind. Of course geology was 
his special science, but he did not limit himself to it. 
Whenever he thought he could be useful to humanity, he 
threw himself into the work with heart and soul. He 
often co-operated with me, for instance, in promoting 
public health, while I acted as a commissioner to investi¬ 
gate into the sanitary condition of the United Kingdom. 
He was deeply impressed with the opinion that ‘cleanliness 
is next to godliness,’ and he was a most robust preacher 
on this subject. During the cholera he rather startled the 
congregation on the Day of Humiliation by preaching on 
the text ‘ Wash and be clean/ and an admirable sermon 
it was. His geniality and love of humour, and even of 
downright fun, made him a charming companion. 
“ I need not tell his daughter of the deeper qualities of 
the man, of his love of truth, of the real reverence of his 
nature notwithstanding the exuberance of his spirits. 
His kindly nature few could know better than myself, 
though I am sure there are many men of science who 
could testify, as I can, that they owe much to his warm 
sympathies and active friendship when they were fortunate 
enough to win it. 
“ I am, dear Mrs. Gordon, 
“ Yours sincerely, 
“ Playfair.” 
